Prime Minister's Office
English rendering of PM’s speech at Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
My cabinet colleagues Shri Dharmendra Pradhan ji, Annapurna Devi ji, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh ji, Subhash Sarkar ji, teachers from different parts of the country, respected intellectuals, and my dear student friends from all over the country!
It is education that has the most power to make the country successful and to change the destiny of the country. In 21st century India, which is progressing towards its goals, our education system holds great significance. You all are representatives and flag bearers of this system. Therefore, being a part of the Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam is also an extremely important opportunity for me.
I believe that discussion is essential for knowledge, and dialogue is necessary for education. I am pleased that we are carrying forward our tradition of deliberation and contemplation through this session of the Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam. Previously, such an event took place in the newly constructed Rudraksh Auditorium in Kashi. This time, this Samagam is happening in this newly built Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. What brings even more joy is that this is the first program after the formal inauguration of the Bharat Mandapam, and the happiness knows no bounds because the first program which is being held is related to education.
Friends,
From the Rudraksh of Kashi to this modern Bharat Mandapam, the journey of the Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam carries a message. This message is about the confluence of antiquity and modernity! On one hand, our education system is preserving ancient traditions of India, and on the other hand, we are advancing rapidly in the field of modern science and high-tech technology as well. On this occasion, I extend my best wishes and heartfelt congratulations to all of you for organising this event, and for your contributions to the education system.
Coincidentally, today marks the completion of three years of our National Education Policy. Scholars, academicians, and teachers from all over the country have embraced it as a mission and have furthered its objectives. Today, on this occasion, I also express my gratitude to all of them, and I thank them wholeheartedly.
Before coming here, I was going through the exhibition set up in the nearby pavilion. This exhibition showcases the strength of our skills and education sector and its achievements. New and innovative methods have been demonstrated. I also had the opportunity to meet and interact with children in the ‘Bal Vatika’ . It was really encouraging for me to see how children are learning so much while playing and how the meaning of education and schooling is changing. I also urge all of you to visit that place and see all the activities there after the program concludes.
Friends,
When epochal changes take place, they take their time. Three years ago, when we announced the National Education Policy, a vast field of work lay ahead of us. But all of you have shown a sense of duty, dedication, commitment, and openness to accepting new ideas and experiments in implementing the National Education Policy. This is truly impressive and instils a new sense of confidence.
You all have taken it as a mission. The National Education Policy gives equal importance to traditional knowledge systems and futuristic technology in a balanced way. All the great personalities in the field of education have worked diligently for preparing a new curriculum for primary education, bringing books in regional languages, strengthening the research ecosystem in the country, and all the efforts in the field of higher education.
The general public of the country and our students are now well acquainted with the new system. They have come to know that the 'Ten Plus Two' education system has been replaced by the 'Five Plus Three - Plus Three Plus Four' system. Education will now start from the age of three years. This will bring uniformity throughout the country.
Recently, the cabinet has given its approval to introduce the National Research Foundation Bill in the Parliament. As per the National Education Policy, the National Curriculum Framework will also be implemented soon. I have been told that the framework for the foundation stage, which caters to children aged 3 to 8 years, has already been prepared. The curriculum for other stages will be developed shortly. Naturally, now there will be a uniform curriculum in CBSE schools throughout the country. NCERT is in the process of preparing new textbooks for this purpose. New books on about 130 subjects for classes 3rd to 12th are being introduced, and I am delighted because these books will be available in 22 Indian languages to promote education in regional languages as well.
Friends,
Judging young people based on their language instead of their talent is a grave injustice. Education in one's mother tongue marks the beginning of true justice for India's talented youth. This is also a crucial step towards social justice. There are hundreds of different languages in the world, each with its own importance. Most developed countries have made progress by promoting their native languages. If we look at Europe alone, most countries there use their native languages. However, despite having such a rich variety of languages, we have presented our languages as backward. What greater misfortune could there be? No matter how innovative and talented someone might be, if they couldn't speak English, their talent was not readily recognized. The biggest loss of this has been suffered by the promising children of our rural areas. In the ‘Amrit Kaal’ of Independence, our country has taken the initiative to leave behind this inferiority complex through the National Education Policy. I proudly speak India's language even at the UN. If it takes a while for the listeners to applaud, so be it.
Friends,
Now, education from social sciences to engineering will also be conducted in Indian languages. When the youth have confidence in their language, their skills and talents will come to the forefront openly. Moreover, there will be another advantage for the country. The shutters will come down on those who use language for political purposes and spread hatred. With the National Education Policy, every language of the country will receive respect and encouragement.
Friends,
The upcoming 25 years hold tremendous significance in the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence. In these 25 years, we must build an energetic and liberated young generation, a generation which is free from the mentality of slavery, a generation that is driven by the desire for new innovations, a generation that shines the name of India in every field, from science to sports, and takes India forward, a generation that enhances its capabilities while understanding the needs of 21st-century India, and a generation that is filled with a sense of duty, aware and conscious of its responsibilities. The National Education Policy plays a vital role in shaping such a generation.
Friends,
There are many parameters in the world of quality education, but, when we talk about India, our primary goal is equality! The priority of the National Education Policy is to ensure that every youth in India receives equal education and equal opportunities for education. However, achieving equal education and equal opportunities is not just about opening schools. It means providing equal access to resources alongside education. Equal education means ensuring that every child receives options based on their understanding and choices. Equal education means children should not be deprived of education due to their place, caste, or region.
That's why the vision of the National Education Policy and the endeavour of the nation is to ensure that youth from villages and cities, rich and poor, from every segment, receive equal opportunities. You see, there was a time when many children couldn't access good education because there were no quality schools in remote areas. But today, thousands of schools across the country are being upgraded as PM-SHRI schools. In this era of '5G,' these modern high-tech schools will serve as a medium for contemporary education for Indian students.
Today, we are also establishing Eklavya Model Residential Schools in tribal areas. Internet facilities have reached every village, and children in far-flung areas are learning through platforms like Diksha, Swyam, and Swyam Prabha. With good books and creative learning techniques, the integration of digital technology is providing new ideas, new systems, and creating new opportunities in every village of India. In other words, the gap in educational resources in India is rapidly ending.
Friends,
Do you know that one of the significant priorities of the National Education Policy is that education should not be limited to books only, rather, practical learning should be a part of it. Vocational education is being integrated with general education to achieve this purpose. The greatest advantage of this approach will be for the underprivileged, disadvantaged, and rural children.
These children used to struggle the most under the burden of rote learning from textbooks. But under the new National Education Policy, learning will be conducted using innovative methods. Education will be interactive as well as interesting. Earlier, very few schools had facilities for labs and practical learning. However, now, more than 75 lakh children are learning science and innovation in Atal Tinkering Labs. Science is becoming accessible to everyone. These young scientists will lead the country's major projects in the future and make India a global research hub.
Friends,
Any reform requires courage, and where there is courage, new possibilities are born. That's why the world today sees India as a nursery of new opportunities. Today the world knows that when it comes to software technology, the future belongs to India. The world knows that when it comes to space technology, India's capabilities are unmatched. The world knows that when it comes to defence technology, India's 'low-cost' and 'best quality' model is set to become a hit. We must not let the world's trust in us diminish.
In recent years, the rapid growth of India's industrial sector, the increasing prominence of our start-ups, and the rising global rankings of our educational institutions has earned us respect worldwide. The number of Indian institutes in various global rankings is increasing, and our own rankings are improving too. Today, our IITs are opening campuses in countries like Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi. Many other countries are also requesting us to set up IIT campuses in their nations. There is a growing demand for this worldwide. Due to these positive changes in our education ecosystem, several global universities are also eager to establish campuses in India. Two Australian universities are setting up their campuses in Gujarat's GIFT City. Amid these achievements, we need to continuously strengthen our educational institutions and work hard to make them future-ready. We need to make our institutes, universities, schools, and colleges the centres of this revolution.
Friends,
The development of capable youth is the greatest guarantee for building a strong nation, and parents and teachers play the primary role in shaping the youth. Therefore, I would like to urge all teachers and parents to give children the opportunity to spread their wings freely. We need to instil self-confidence in them so that they can always dare to learn and do something new. We must keep an eye on the future and adopt a futuristic mindset. We need to liberate children from the pressure of books.
Today, we are witnessing technology like AI , which used to be in science fiction, becoming an integral part of our lives. Robotics and drone technology have already knocked on our doors. Hence, we must break free from old thinking and embrace new horizons. We need to prepare our children for this. I wish to see our schools organizing interactive sessions related to future technologies. Whether it's about disaster management, climate change, or clean energy, we must acquaint our new generation with these subjects. Therefore, we need to prepare our education system in a way that familiarizes the youth with these areas, making them aware and curious about them.
Friends,
As India is becoming stronger, the world's interest in India's identity and traditions is also growing. We must embrace this change as a global expectation. The fields of Yoga, Ayurveda, art, music, literature, and culture hold immense possibilities for the future. We must familiarize our new generation with these subjects. I believe that all these subjects will be prioritized in the Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam.
Your efforts will lay the foundation for a new India and shape the future of our country. I firmly believe that in 2047, when the nation celebrates 100 years of independence, our dream and resolution of making India a developed country will be realised. And this period lies in the hands of the youth who are receiving training from you today. Those who are getting prepared by you, they will be the ones preparing the country tomorrow. Hence, I extend my best wishes to all of you. All the youth should move forward with a sense of determination to fulfil this dream, dedication to realise that resolution and achieve success.
I convey my heartfelt blessings to all of you. Thank you very much!
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.